Electric controller



Sept. 3, 1929. N. D. LEVIN ELECTRIC CONTROLLER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 25 1924 XI v p 19219- N. D. LEVIN 1,726,846

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER Filed Jan. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 3 y Il jil 4 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,726,846 PATENT OFFICE.

NILS D. LEVIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

Application filed January 25, 1924. Serial No. 688,475.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in electric controllers of the type adapted to use upon electric locomotives for the control of the propelling motors.

The especial object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement of parts whereby the blowout magnet and arc deflectors may be conveniently and expeditiously moved to a position convenient for 1nspection and repair and returned to operative position without disturbing the electrical connections of the controller.

Another object is to provide a blowout I mechanism in which the parts subject to deterioration in service may be conveniently replaced without the disorganization of the controller.

A further object is to provide a blowout magnet mounting of improved construction whereby is insured durability and uniformity of action combined with economy of manufacture.

These and other objects will appear in the following specification, wherein reference 15 had to the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a controller embodying my invention, the cover belng removed and certain parts broken away to reveal other parts.

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken along the lines IIII of 1, showing the blowout mechanism in the closed or operative position.

Fig. 3 is cross section taken along the lines III-III of Fig. 1, the blowout mechanismbeing shown in the open position convenient for inspection and repair.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the arc deflector structure showing the method of securing the arc separators in place.

Fig. hinges upon which the blowout mechamsm is supported.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the ball latch by which the arc reflectors are held in place.

7 and 8 are fragmentary details, partly in section, showing the construction of and the method of supporting and connecting the blowout magnet.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

As shown in the drawings, my improved controller comprises/a commutatlng cyllnder 5 is a fragmentary detail of one of the 1 and a reverse cylinder 2 mounted for rota tion about parallel axes extending longitudinally of a casing formed of the back plate 3, top plate 4, and bottom plate 5 which are rigidly joined together, and a removable cover plate 6. The cover plate 6 preferably engages suitable flanges of the back and end plates, and is locked in place by a cam 7 preferably attached to the bottom plate 5 in the manner which is common in controller practice. The cylinders 1 and 2 are supported upon suitable shafts which project through the top plate 4, and are provided with operating handles 8 and 9 convenient to the hand of the operator. The commutating cylinder 1 is provided with contact segments 10 adapted to contact with suitable brushes 11 which are connected with the conductors of the locomotive, and the parts are so proportioned and arranged that by the rotation of the cylinder 1 the brushes are caused to contact with appropriate segments of the cylinder to connect said conductors into various combinations of circuits to control the operation of the propelling motors of the locomotive. As these matters are well understood in the art, and as they form no part in the present invention, more specific description and illustration is not thought to be required at this time.

Attached to the back plate 3 and extending from top to bottom of the controller parallel with and adjacent to the commutating cylinder 1, is an insulating base 12, composed of wood or other suitable insulatin material, to which the brush holders and other electrical connectors are attached. Fixed to this insulating base 12 near its end are two hinge blocks 13 in the bodies of which are formed binding posts 14 adapted to connect with appropriate conductor cables of thelocomotive wiring. Pivotally attached to the hinge blocks13 are the arms 15 to the outer ends of which the blowout magnet 16 is fixed, thereby forming a rigid frame upon which the arc deflectors are supported. The proportions of these parts are such that the blowout magnet 16 will be supported in operative position parallel to the axis of the commutating cylinder 1 and adjacent to the ends of the contact brushes 11, or it may be swung upon the hinges 13 to a position removed from proximity with the brushes, to a position convenient for inspection and adjustment of the parts, without disturbing the inder when the controller cover is removed.

The proportions of these parts however, are such that a slight pull by the hand of the operator is sufficient to swing the blowout mechanism to its open position from its closed and latched position.

By virtue of the peculiar mounting of the blowout magnet and are deflecting devices upon the hinged arms 15, the parts subjected to the destructive action of electric arcs may be readily moved to a position convenient for inspection and repair without interruption of the electric circuits of the controller.

The blowout magnet 16 is formed of a copper tube through the wall of which is cut a spiral slot 19 to form a helical conductor adapted to generate a magnetic field when an electric current flows from one end of the tube to the other. The slot 19 terminates near the ends of the tube, thereby forming a ring 20 at each end of the coil, and into these rings projects the cylindrical lugs 21 formed integral with the arms 15. The lugs 21 are split longitudinally and are fitted with expanding screws 22 of such proportions that when said screws are driven inwardly said lugs will be expanded into forced engagement with the walls of the rings 20 to securely hold the blowout magnet in place and insure electrical connections between the coil 16 and the arms 15. A suitable iron core 23 is positioned inside the coil 16 to concentrate thernagnetic field, and suitable insulating cylinders 24 and 25 are arranged to protect the coil 16 from short cir cuit in a manner which is well understood. v

By the above construction there is provided an electromagnet adapted to the severe service conditions of electric traction, having approved electric characteristics and superior mechanical qualities, which may be economically manufactured and conveniently assembled with the mechanism of the controller.

The are deflectors whereby the formation of arcs between adjacent contact brushes is prevented, comprises a plurality of horizontally extending noninflammable, insulating slabs 26 of such shape and proportions that when in operative positon they will lie between adjacent contact brushes and extend from the commutating cylinder 1 to the blowout magnet 16. These separators are supported and are separately slidable in horizontal grooves formed in two supporting bars 27 and 28, composed of wood or other suitable insulating material. The bars 27 and 28 are attached to the arms 15 to form a supporting-rack for the arc deflecting septa and when in the closed or operatit e position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the slabs 26 contact with inspection and repair. An inwardly projecting flange '33 formed of the metal of the body 29 at the mouth of the recess 30 prevents displacement of the ball 31 when the slab is removed.

It will be observed that the swinging frame carrying the arc deflectors and the blowout magneto, when in its closed position, cooperates with a vertically disposed partition 34: placed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, upon the back of the casing, so that a substantially closed chamber is provided when the blowout magnet frame is swung from the open position shown in Fig. 3 to the closed position shown in Fig. 2.

The structure above described constitutes a self-contained blowout mechanism wherein the parts subject to the destructive action of electric arcs may be conveniently removed and replaced without disturbing the continuity of the electric organization of the controller.

As the operation of such controllers is well understood in the art, further description is not thought to be required at this time.

Such changes in construction as are merely mechanical changes, or involve the adoption of equivalent mechanical elements may be made without departing from my invention.

What I claim is 1. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a self-contained blowout mechanism comprising a supporting frame hinged to the casing, and a blowout magnet supported upon said frame and connected through said hinge supports with the electric circuits of the controller.

2. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within said casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a self-contained blowout mechanism comprising a supporting frame hinged to said casing, separately removable arc deflecting septa carried by said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in 0perative position between adjacent brushes as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a controller of the class described,

the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a self-contained blowout mechanism comprising a supporting frame hinged to said casing, a blowout magnet supported upon said frame, and separately removable arc deflecting septa carried by said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in operative position between adjacent brushes as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a self-contained blowout mechanism comprising a supporting frame hinged to said casing, separately removable arc deflecting septa carried by said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in operative position between adjacent brushes, and devices carried by said frame yieldingly engaging said septa to prevent their accidental displacement as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a frame hinged to said casing, arc deflecting septa slidable in guideways of said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in operative position between adjacent brushes, and means carried by said frame to prevent accidental movement of said septa relative to said frame.

6. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a frame hinged to said casing, arc deflecting septa slidable in guideWa-ys of said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in operative position between adjacent brushes, and latches carried by said frame adapted to engage said septa to prevent their movement relative to said frame.

7. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, a frame hinged to said casing, arc deflecting septa slidable in guideways of said frame and adapted to be supported thereby in operative position between adjacent brushes, and spring pressed devices carried by said frame adapted to engage said septa to prevent their movement relative to said frame.

8. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated magnet coil adapted to extend parallel with said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with the brushes, and supporting arms rigidly attached to said magnet coil and hinged to said casing. said arms serving to connect said coil with the electric circuits of the controller.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a magnet coil comprising a conductor terminating at each end in a closed ring, of supporting devices projecting into said ring, and means to expand said supporting devices to insure electrical connection with said ring as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a. controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated magnet coil adapted to extend parallel with said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with said brushes, said coil comprising a con ductor terminating at each end in a closed ring, and supporting arms hinged to said casing and rigidly attached to said ring as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated magnet coil adapted to extend parallel with said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with said brushes, said coil con'iprising a conductor terminating at each end in a closed ring, supporting arms hinged to said casing and projecting into said ring, and means to expand the ends of said arm to insure electrical connection with said conductor as and for the purpose set fort-h.

12. In a cont-roller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated magnet coil adapted to extend parallel with said cylinder adjacent the points. of contact with said brushes, said coil comprising a conductor terminating at each end in a closed ring, supporting arms hinged to said casing, lugs formed on said arms adapted to extend into said rings, and means to expand said lugs to insure electrical connection with said conductor as andvfor the purpose set forth.

13. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within a casing, brushes adapted to Contact with sair segments, a blowout magnet adapted to dis rupt arcs formed at points of contact with the brushes, supporting arms hinged to said casing and attached to said blowout magnet said arms serving to connect said magnet with the electric circuits of a controller.

14. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder said casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated blowout magnet adapted to extend parallel to said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with said brushes, supporting arms hinged to said casing rigidly attached to said blowout magnet, and means to yieldingly hold said magnet in operative position adjacent said brushes as and for the purpose set forth.

15, In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated blowout magnet adapted to extend parallel to said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with said brushes, supporting arms hinged to said casing and rigidly attached to said blowout magnet, and a latch adapted to hold said magnet in operative position adjacent said brushes as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a controller of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder having contact segments rotatable within the casing, brushes adapted to contact with said segments, an elongated blowout magnet adapted to extend parallel to said cylinder adjacent the points of contact with said brushes, supporting arms hinged to said casing and rigidly attached to said blowout magnet, and a spring pressed latch engaging a projection on one of said arms to hold said magnet in operative position adjacent said brushes as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a controller of the class described, the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments mounted in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage with said segments, a supporting frame pivotally mounted in said casing and movable to and from said cylinder, a supporting frame hingedly mounted in said casing and movable to and from said cylinder, a blowout magnet clamped between the hinge members of said frame, and removable arc-deflecting slabs disposed vertically of said frame at intervals and lying between said brush elements when said supporting frame is in operative relation to said cylinder. I

18, In a controller of the class described, the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly mounted in said casing and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, a blowout magnet carried by said supporting frame, slab supporting posts on either side of said magnet, and removable arc deflecting slabs mounted in said posts vertically of said frame at intervals and lying between said brush elements when said supporting frame is in operative position relative to said cylin der.

19. Ina controller of the class described the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly mounted in said casing and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, a blow-out magnet carried by said supporting frame, slab supporting posts on either side of said magnet, arc deflecting slabs removably mounted in said posts vertically of said frame at intervals and lying between said brush elements when said supporting frame is in operative position relative to said cylinder, and means for holding said slab in place. a

20. In a controller of the class described, the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly mounted in said casing and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, a blow-out magnet carried by said supporting frame, slab supporting posts on either side of said magnet, arc deflecting slabs removably mounted in said posts vertically of said frame at intervals and lying between said brush elements when said supporting frame is in operative position relative to said cylinder, and frictional means engaging said slabs to hold them in place.

21. In a controller of the class described,

the combination of a casing, a cylinder hav-' ing contact segments in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly mounted in said casing and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, a blow-out magnet carried by said supporting frame, slab supporting posts on either side of said magnet, arc deflecting slabs removably mounted in said posts vertically of said frame at intervals and lying between said brush elements when said supporting frame is in operative position relative to said cylinder, and slab engaging latches between adjacent slabs to hold them in place.

22. In a controller of the class described,

the combination of a casing, a cylinder hav ing contact segments in said casing, an insulating base mounted in said casing, brush elements carried by said base and adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly connected with said base and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, friction means normally to hold said frame in operative relation to said cylinder, and a blow-out magnet carried by said frame.

I 23. In a controller of the class described, the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments in said casing, an insulating base mounted in said casing, brush elements carried by said base and adapted to engage said segments, a supporting frame hingedly connected with said base and movsaid segments, a closed supporting frame pivotally mounted in said casing and movable to and from operative relation to said cylinder, a blow-out magnet mounted on said frame, and a vertical partition carried by said casing and cooperating with said frame when deflector septa in operative relation with said cylinder to enclose the cylinder as a whole and the brushes.

25. In a controller of the class described, the combination of a casing, a cylinder having contact segments in said casing, brush elements in said casing adapted to engage said segments, a closed supporting frame pivotally mounted in said casing and movable into and out of proximity to said cylinder, a blowout magnet mounted on said frame, a vertical partition carried by said casing cooperating with said frame when in proximity with said cylinder to enclose the cylinder as a whole and the brushes, and are supported between said brushes and dividing said enclosed space into compartments.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

NILS D. LEVIN. 

